Environment protection

The strictest environment protection and cutting-edge technology

A long history of the exploration and production of hydrocarbons without incident in the Adriatic Sea proves that Croatia is responsible regarding environment protection, that the legislation has been abided by and that Croatia can and knows how to manage projects while ensuring maximal environmental protection.

In recent years, Croatia has tightened the environmental regulations with respect to the exploration and production of hydrocarbons. A maximum level of environmental protection and investor responsibility were incorporated into the Act on the Exploration and Production of Hydrocarbons, in the terms and conditions of public bidding process, in the licenses for exploration and production of hydrocarbons, and in future contracts on exploration and production of hydrocarbons (Production Sharing Agreements).

The Republic of Croatia has reduced the area in which exploration and production activities are permitted in the Adriatic, exploration and production on the islands has been restricted, exploration and production of hydrocarbons has been prohibited within 10 kilometres from the coast and 6 kilometres from the islands. Furthermore, Croatia requires that cutting-edge technology must be used in conducting exploration and production activities in the Adriatic. Additional measures of environmental protection, together with restrictions for performing certain activities were defined during the strategic environmental impact assessment for the offshore exploration and production of hydrocarbons in the Adriatic Sea, as well as during the strategic environmental impact assessment for the onshore exploration and production of hydrocarbons.